Selenski, Vittese Selected for European Tour with U.S. National Team
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey players Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese are two of 18 players named recently to tour Spain and England as the United States National Team begins preparation for the 2011 Pan American Games. The duo were both named to the United States National Team earlier this month.
Virginia’s volunteer assistant, Keli Smith, was also named to the squad. She is a veteran of the U.S. National Team and competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The team will play four matches versus Spain in Valencia (July 26, 27, 29 & 30) before heading to the historic Bisham Abbey for three matches versus England (August 2, 5 & 6). They will also take a day to tour the London 2012 facilities, most notably the Hockey Centre in Olympic Park.
“It has been a goal for both Paige and Michelle to represent their country on the U.S. National Team,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “They will realize what they have accomplished the first time they put that USA jersey on and fight for their country!”
Selenski, a native of Shavertown, Pa., was a semifinalist for the Honda Award as a sophomore last season. She was a 2009 first team All-American and led the Cavaliers with 27 goals, the third-most in program history. Selenski was tabbed the NFHCA South Regional Player of the Year in addition to being named a first-team all-south region and All-ACC selection for the second consecutive year.
Vittese, who hails from Cherry Hill, N.J., joined Selenski on the All-ACC and All-South Region first team. She was named a third team All-American by the NFHCA as a sophomore in 2009 and contributed six goals and nine assists.
Both Selenski and Vittese have a wealth of international experience as past members of the U.S. Junior National Team.
“They both started in FUTURES and are ready,” Madison said. “They need international hockey to take their game to the next level. They have the speed for the international game and they both can score goals. I have full confidence in Lee Bodimeade and his staff to challenge Paige and Michelle to a new level. I am very proud of them.”